In the Orient | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 19, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 47.

In the Orient.

A mining superintendant who has spent much time in Korea has recently returned to this country, and in an interview upon Korean affairs states that the condition of the inhabitants is pitiful. He declares that they are practically taxed to death by the officials. In addition to this burden, a severe drought has reduced a large part of the population to the verge of starvation. The people, on this account, have become weak physically, and the cholera is rapidly taking them off. The high taxes discourage the people from attempting to raise large crops, and the conditions grow worse instead of better. Over much of China Boxerism is still rampant. While the Boxers are restrained by the presence or fear of the military or otherwise in some portions of China, in other parts the movement is spreading. A rebellion against indemnity taxation has broken out in Chili province, and troops have been ordered there to suppress it. Anti-foreign posters are being scattered all over the province of Cheng-tu. The Boxers are raiding villages, burning churches, and killing Christian converts. Fighting has occurred between Russians and bandits, and this gives Russia excuse for remaining longer in Manchuria. The Chinese troops have had a number of engagements with the Boxers, and report having killed large numbers of them. The empress dowager and the governor of Ho Nan province are still resisting England's demand for the decapitation of the official responsible for not protecting the two English missionaries recently murdered by a mob.